Boots breaking in badly...

[Hansel]

I have a new pair of boots, and unfortunately it looks like one of them is breaking in wrong.

The left boot has taken a crease in such a way that when I step, the leather folds and presses down directly on the nail of my pinky toe.

This is annoying the !@#$%^ $#@! out of me, to say the least.

Anybody know WTH I can do to change this!?

 

[pal]

There are two things that I know of that might help. Get a can of Kiwi Universal Shoe Stretch. You just spray the inside of the boot where you want to stretch and just wear the boots. This stuff will soften and stretch the leather where you are having trouble.

The other thing would be to purchase a "Two Way Boot Stretcher" simular to this one. You can actually use the Kiwi Spray and the Boot Stretcher at the same time.

 

[Agent8426]

Please respond with the type/brand of boot. I have significant experience with boots, and have had some nightmares breaking them in--included but not limited to hiking for about 20 min, deciding the boot was so painful that I took it off and hiked back (through New Mexico desert) in stocking feet.

My general experience is that after some time the boot will work into shape.

 

[Kouros]

Wrap your toe with flexible gauze for a while.

 

[Austin]

Are you sure you have the right size. I wear different sizes according to the brand.

 

[Hansel]

Please respond with the type/brand of boot.

Altama's OD green jungle boots, Panama sole, without spike protective plate.

They're my new reenacting boots, and I'm hoping to get them broken in nicely for the next time I wear em out.

Are you sure you have the right size. I wear different sizes according to the brand.

I've noticed that as well, but I've bought this brand, size, and style before (Though with a different tread pattern) and not had this problem.

 

[Agent8426]

I took a look at the boots on-line, and here's what I would try:

-First and foremost you have to wear the boots as much as you can. In my experience new boots can take over a month of daily wear to break in.

-Try mixing rubbing alcohol and water 1:1 and put it in a spray bottle. Spray this mix on the boots as often as possible for two weeks. After that get some Obernoff's and grease those boots.

 

[Hansel]

OK, I'll give it a go.

I'm curious, what exactly does the water/alcohol mix do to the leather?

I shouldn't have a problem with wearing them for a month, they're very comfortable to stand in and etc, it's just that when my toes flex as I step the pressure on my toenail is annoying...Very...Very...Very annoying...The kind of annoying that makes you want to strangle somebody...VERY...ANNOYING...

Honestly, if I could forget about it, I would. The problem is that I'm reminded of it with every step I take...Literally...

Well...I HOPE I'll be able to wear them for a month...lol...

 

[Agent8426]

I have no idea what the water/alcohol does to the boot or the leather, but my last pair of fire boots came with care instructions that recomended the alcohol/water solution in a spray bottle.

The boots were "White's" brand. Their website might have more information.

 

[matt711]

I wore Green Altama Jungle boots for the first half of my career, thank GOD the Army now lets us wear better more comfortable boots... But the best way I have found to break in a pair of Army boots is:

-Fill up your bathtub with hot water.
-Put our boots on with no socks and tie them tight
-Stand in hot water until the boots are completely soaked
-Squat up and down, flex your feet around, just get the boots moving
-Get out of the water and carefully remove the boots, try not to disturb the shape they have taken
-put them outside in the sun and let them dry

This method has worked for me throughout my 20 year Army career. It kind of "molds" the boots to the shape of your foot. I have used this method on brand new boots and gone off and done 20 mile ruck-marches as soon as they were dry, and no blisters...

Good luck. If you are in the market for another pair of Army type boots I highly recommend the Oakley 6" desert boots, they are all I wear anymore. Well over half the soldiers I see over here in Iraq wear these or the taller version of them.

-Matt

 

[instpasr]

+1 on the bath tub I did that to all of my boots and it worked great

 

[Hansel]

-Fill up your bathtub with hot water.
-Put our boots on with no socks and tie them tight
-Stand in hot water until the boots are completely soaked
-Squat up and down, flex your feet around, just get the boots moving
-Get out of the water and carefully remove the boots, try not to disturb the shape they have taken
-put them outside in the sun and let them dry

Interesting, I've heard this before, but for some reason it never occurred to me to try it! I'll give it a go, and if that doesn't work then I'll try the water/alcohol trick.

Good luck. If you are in the market for another pair of Army type boots I highly recommend the Oakley 6" desert boots, they are all I wear anymore. Well over half the soldiers I see over here in Iraq wear these or the taller version of them.

The past few years my usual boots have been black leather/nylon "Original Swat" brand boots, 9" ones for hunting and etc, and the 6" ones for everything else. They're pretty comfy, the only problem is that after one or at most two years of every day wear they're total toast. I've had both Oakley and Belleville brands recommended to me, but haven't tried them yet. I probably will soon.

I used to wear jungle boots more often, but a while back I stepped in a hole in the ground, rolled my ankle, and broke my foot...(*Snap!* "Aw, crap on a cracker...") Since then I've started to prefer boots with a bit more support...

I'll have to make do with them on the odd occasion I'm participating in a Vietnam era reenactment/living history event, but thats not too often and usually involves me doing more show and tell than running around in the bushes.